Sgt. Brad McMahon celebrates 35 years at Sterling Police Department

Dozens honor officer at ceremony on Wednesday

STERLING -- It's uncommon to see a person celebrate 35 years of work at any location. But if that location is a police department -- with its long hours dangerous work -- reaching that mark is exceptionally rare.

Sgt. Brad McMahon of the Sterling Police Department did just that on Wednesday, as dozens of officers, friends and family members visited the Sterling Public Library's Community Room to celebrate his 35 years on the force.

"Let me make this clear," said SPD Chief Roy Breivik, addressing the crowd, "this is not a retirement ceremony.

Sgt. Brad McMahon accepts a plaque recognizing his 35 years of service on the Sterling Police Department from Police Chief Roy Breivik. (Sara Waite/Journal-Advocate)

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The soft-spoken police veteran attributes his longevity to a "dedication to the job" and a joy of working with people. He said it makes it easier that Sterling is such a "great ... friendly town."

But he didn't always have dreams of being a police officer; he kind of eased into it.

Breivik said the Sterling native graduated from Sterling High School in 1977 and continued to Northeastern Junior College, where he received a degree in business. He received a bachelor of the arts degree from Adams State University, as well.

From there, he went into the slightly less harrowing job of banking in Sterling. But it's from working with police officers' accounts that McMahon said he got his start.

"They made me an offer I couldn't refuse," he said.

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Breivik said he served in a handful of positions -- like deputy trainer and member of Sterling's Tactical Apprehension and Control team -- and became a sergeant in May 1992.

He said that during McMahon's years, he's taken on some incredibly difficult situations. In 2005, Breivik said, McMahon responded to a missing child call at a Sterling man's house. The man, he found, had lured the boy and some friends into his house and was holding the boy against his will.

But after the suspect denied the boy's presence, McMahon and his officers found a way to gain entry in the home, rescue the 12-year-old boy and arrest the suspect -- who later was sentenced to life in prison for sexual assault and related charges.

"He still moves and performs like a younger officer," said Det. James Coleman. "He's been incredibly knowledgeable. He put a lot of passion towards his career."

Coleman described a more recent incident -- from Tuesday -- when McMahon had to help physically restrain a man Coleman said needed "medical assistance."

McMahon acknowledged that the atmosphere around the police department had also changed a great deal in his 35 years, though he didn't let that affect him either. He maintained that officers receive better training, cars and equipment than they did in the past, at least.

He never really considered leaving, anyways. McMahon said that usually he sees officers move back to where their friends and family are. But for him and most of his family of three children and four grandchildren, Sterling's the place where his friends and family have lived all his life.

He was brief in offering advice to other officers on how to best stick with the police force for so long, though it had nothing to do with perseverance, an open mind or a special trick. Or, conversely, it could have something to do with all of those things.

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